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+--- Thread: newbie needs some brains to pick (/thread-2851.html)
newbie needs some brains to pick - cleanskin87 - 09-29-2015
Hey all, new on the forum and metalworking in general. I'm wanting to start a project but am unsure on the materials needed, mainly a crossbow trigger. Really need some advice on what steel I should use and what sort of hardening process would be best, needs to a be a strong finished product but fairly workable as the tools used will be mainly power and hand (don't have access to a vertical mill or anything fancy). Any info would be greatly appreciated, TIA.
RE: newbie needs some brains to pick - TomG - 09-29-2015
Welcome!
It sounds like O1 plate would be what you are looking for. It can be had in most any thickness and is easily hardened by heating it to a dull red, quenching in oil and then tempering to the required hardness. For a simple trigger, the shape could be laid out and sawed to size using hack saw and jeweler saw and finish to the proper profile by hand filing.
When I taught industrial arts in the 70's, I had the students build a project at the beginning of the year using hand tools and then build it again later on using machines. That generated a healthy dose of appreciation for the machines.
Tom
RE: newbie needs some brains to pick - dallen - 09-29-2015
Chinese used bronze and casted the trigger parts,
how complicated are you planning on making the trigger,
you can go a lot of metal removal with just a hacksaw and some good files don't get the cheap crap ones from china
RE: newbie needs some brains to pick - ieezitin - 09-29-2015
The steel and process has been answered.
My two cents on this is to make it out of wood first, get a feel for using files and also the design and finial product can be achieved, eyeballing a made product will save you much time in doing the real thing.
Anthony..